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PROSPECTUS 


OF THE 

MINERAL CITY 



OF NEVADA. 

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Before giving a description of the mining, agricultural, and 
water-power, belonging to the “ Mineral City Mining and Manu¬ 
facturing Company of New York and Nevada,” we propose to 
first give a brief description of the country surrounding it, and the 
mining district in which it is situated, togetherwith a few of the 
advantages, resources, and neighboring mining districts, which to a 
greater or lesser degree, will be dependent upon it, immediately upon 
this Company’s commencement of operations. 


THE EAST WALKER RIVER DISTRICT. 

The “East Walker River Gold and Silver Mining District,” 
lies on both sides of the river of the same name, and the lower 
boundary about seven miles above its confluence with the eastern 
branch of the main Walker River which flows into Walker’s Lake 
about sixteen miles below the forks of the river. The district com¬ 
mences at a point on the river, just above where the dam has been 












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(. £ 4 

I Y/ 

located, for the purpose of supplying the Company’s proposed canal, 
and extends on either side, a distance of ten miles, running a due 
east and west course and forming the southern boundary. The other 
lines are due north and south, excepting the northern, which runs 
parallel with the southern, and are ten miles in length, making the 
district ten by twenty miles square. 

The extreme western portion of the district is a part of the 
eastern slope of the Sweetwater mountains which contain coal depo¬ 
sits, and abound in good pine timber. “Antelope Valley ” lies be¬ 
tween the Sweetwater or Wassuk Range of mountains and “Gold 
Hill Range.” This valley is destitute of water, and cannot be 
irrigated from any stream flowing in its vicinity. The 


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GOLD HILL RANGE 

commences on the upper point of Mt. Lyon, and runs in a northerly 
direction a distance of about eighteen miles, and the width from its 
western base in Antelope Valley to its eastern, is upon an average 
nearly three miles. It is entirely destitute of timber and alluvial 
soil. The formation is of a quartzose granite, which crumbles readily 
upon exposure to the atmosphere. Veins of quartz from one to 
ten feet in width, extend from one end of the range to the other. 
All of them contain rich mineral deposits. In some of them 
are to be found, argentiferous galena, copper, and gold in great 
quantities; iu others gold and silver only; in others gold in abund¬ 
ance mixed with oxide of iron; and in others, gold, silver, and cop¬ 
per with no other baser metals to be found. At the foot of the 
eastern slope of this range flows the East Walker River, which at 
the dryest season of the year (October) in Nevada has an average 
width of seventy feet, and a depth at least of three feet, with a bill 
of about forty feet to the mile. The average of the alluvial which 
it now waters does not exceed three eighths of a mile; and in 
some localities there is nothing but a narrow gorge among the rocks 
through which it flows. This stream has its rise in the Sierra Nevada, 
about eighty miles in a southwesterly direction from this district, 
and is fed from mountain springs, and the melting snows iu the 
vicinity of “ Castle Peak,” which is one of the highest peaks in the 
Sierra Nevada range and lies sixty miles due west from the City of 
Aurora. This river drains a surface of at least four thousand square 
miles, and none of it can be diverted from its natural coqrse j^bove 


5 


this district. It contains twice as much water as the Carson River 
in the dryest season, and has at least double the fall of that river. 
Along its banks where the alluvial deposits are made in this district 
and in the vicinity above it, there are farms of about one-half mile 
square each, at intervals of one and two miles. Vegetables, hay and 
oats are raised in abundance, when the soil is properly cultivated, 
which find a ready market in the neighboring mining districts. 
Along the outer edge of the lands now held, is a strip of fine arable 
land of an average width of one and a half miles for the distance of 
ten miles from the point where the Company’s proposed canal com¬ 
mences to the northern and lower boundary of the district, and con¬ 
taining about seven thousand acres of land. This tract can be made 
productive only by irrigation. On the eastern side of the district 
lies the Walker Lake Range of Mountains, whose general course is 
nearly north and south; and from their southern or upper extremity 
to the northern, they extend a distance of about forty miles. There 
are two principal peaks which rise to a height of three thousand 
feet above the base of the range. One is called Mt. Grant, and the 
other Mt. Corey. These mountains which border the eastern side of 
this district, are generally covered with pinon pine, which is of a 
stunted growth but highly resinous. The trees grow to a height of 
thirty to forty feet, and from eight to eighteen inches in diameter. 
They make the best fuel to be found in the country, as well as good 
charcoal. Of this timbered land in this range, there are at least five 
thousand acres lying within six miles of the river. Along the 
western slope of these mountains, there are extensive deposits of coal 
iron, copper, gold and silver. 

The coal veins are from four to eight feet thick near the surface 
and are easily worked. It is of a bituminous character, but resem¬ 
bles cannel coal in appearance. It burns readily, and has been pro¬ 
nounced by assayers and blacksmiths who have tested it, to be of a 
superior quality. See Report of Dr. John Torrey, page 15. 

The iron is found in a small spur of the main range, and running 
with it up into the range itself in nearly an easterly and westerly 
direction; (a full description will be found under its proper head in 
the property of the Company.) 

Gold and silver quartz veins are found all along this range of 
mountains and to a great extent. The ledges are large and very 
rich A cross spur runs out diagonally in a northwesterly direction 


6 


from this range with smaller spurs from itself on either side which 
break up into irregular detached rugged hills, whose bases on the 
western side are washed by this river, for a distance of ten miles or 
more, above the Company’s dam. Near the main peak of this spur 
a very fine deposit of copper is found, the principal lode being from 
five to ten feet thick and extending over a mile in length, commenc¬ 
ing in what is called the Cumberland (or more properly speaking the 
East Walker Copper District.) There are many other veins found 
in this adjoining district, to which reference will be made here¬ 
after. 

We have next to speak of the 

GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION 

of this district. 

It will be seen by examining the map of the state of Nevada, 
that it lies almost in the very centre of the silver producing region, 
and is surrounded by rich mineral districts which are being brought 
into notice as fast as the means of development are provided, while 
there are scores of rich districts within a radius of one hundred 
miles , yielding an aggregate amount of three millions and a half 
per month in solid bullion , and ivhich is but a very small fraction 
of what they are capable of producing , were there only proper 
mills enough to reduce the ore that would be taken out. 

It lies in Esmeralda County, State of Nevada, and about thirty- 
five miles north from the City of Aurora, about sixty miles southeast 
from Virginia City and Washoe, about forty miles south from Fort 
Churchill, fifty miles southeast of Genoa, (on the Overland Mail 
Route by the way of Placerville,) sixty miles east of Silver Moun¬ 
tain, and about ninety miles south of Humboldt and ninety miles 
west from Austin, Reese River. It lies ivithin eight miles of Col. 
Steptoe's proposed route for the Central Pacific Bailro&d, and along 
which there is already a good ivagon road constructed by Wel¬ 
lington & Co., cutting off eighty miles ’ travel , which would have to 
be made by the Virginia route. This road is comparatively level, 
with good grass and water, and was extensively used by the emigrants 
last summer, and it will no doubt be the very route through which 
LathPacific Railroad will be built. It passes through the rich dis¬ 
trict of Union, lone and Washington in Nye County to Austin in 
e nder County. 


7 


The great road which traverses the base of the Eastern Slope of 
the Sierra Nevada, passes along within about twelve miles to the west¬ 
ward of this district, and connection is easily made either at the 
junction at Wellington’s, a distance of seventeen miles, or at the 
“ Elbow Rancho,” twenty-five miles distant, and still nearer with a 
comparatively small expense. A good road to Aurora as well as to 
Wellington’s Station already exists. 

The mining districts to the westward which are now producing 
well, are the “Silver Mountain,” “Raymond,” “Monitor,” “Al¬ 
pine,” “Mogul,” “Eagle,” and “ Silver King.” To the southward 
lie the “ Masonic,” 1 Excelsior,” “Van Horn,” “Columbus,” “Es¬ 
meralda,” now producing a yield of nearly a guarter of a million 
of dollars in bullion per month , “ Bodie,” (now producing an 
average yield of $25,000 in bullion per month, when the rock is 
crushed,) “ Montgomery,” “White Mountain,” and the entire mineral 
region of the Owen’s River Valley still farther south. 

There are no less than four great wagon roads crossing the Sierra 
Nevada, and passing through the richest mineral region of the con¬ 
tinent, which have their termini within a distance of not more than 
forty-five miles of this district; one of them within thirty miles, and 
two of them connecting with Wellington’s Reese River Road, which 
is brought within only eight miles of this district. It is a fact well 
known that all of these roads crossing the Sierra Nevada are, in the 
winter, rendered impassable for heavy freight teams, and therefore 
heavy freights cannot be hauled for a period of at least five months 
in the year, which would give an advantage to the manufacturers of 
iron over those of California, on account of not having to cross the 
great snow belt of the Sierras in the winter season. 

The altitude of this district is about five thousand feet above the 
level of the sea, and is accessible during all seasons of the year with 
good roads connecting with all the great highways through the 
country and in almost every direction. The snow never falls to 
exceed the depth of eight inches in the most inclement season upon 
the Gold Hill Range; and in the valley not to exceed three inches; 
and as a general thing, does not lie on the ground but a few hours 
when the sun shines. The roads are good at all times and free from 
mud. A County road has been recently laid out, which will require 
but very little outlay of expense and labor, and shorten the distance 
now travelled to Aurora nearly eight miles. 


8 


MINERAL CITY. 

A town has been laid out in accordance with the Act of Congress 
of March, 1864, and entitled Mineral City. It is located nearly 
in the centre of the district and fronting on the river. It is one 
mile square in extent, containing six hundred and forty acres. The 
streets run at right angles due north and south and due east and 
west, and are eighty feet wide. The blocks from street to street 
measure five hundred and fifty-six feet in length and two hundred 
and twenty feet in width. Alleys twenty feet in width intersect 
each other in the centres of the blocks. Maps have been filed in 
compliance with law in the Recorder’s office of Esmeralda County, 
the District U. S. Land Office at Carson City, and in the General 
Land Office at Washington, D. C., and been officially approved. 
The original map is in the possession of the Company. The eligi¬ 
bility of the location of Mineral City is unsurpassed, the farthest 
mines in the district not exceeding six miles, with good natural 
roads of an easy grade leading to them. It lies upon a gentle 
plateau with no danger of being overflowed. It is in the centre of 
the richest and largest extent of arable land in the county, which is 
able to sustain a population of ten thousand inhabitants from the 
products raised upon it, It must necessarily, from its geographical 
and central position, command an extensive trade when the Com¬ 
pany’s iron works, mills and mines are put into a thorough opera¬ 
tion. The climate is not subject to the extremes of heat and cold, 
and is perfectly healthy in comparison with other localities in the 
State. 

Eor further particulars reference is made to the map. 


DESCRIPTION OE THE COMPANY’S PROPERTY. 

The mines of gold and silver will first command our attention. 

There is one great and continuous ledge of gold and silver bear¬ 
ing quartz, extending from Mt. Bullion ridge along the western 
slope of Walker Lake Range to an unknown distance. This ledge 
is from four to twelve feet in thickness, and beyond question is one 
of the richest lodes in the district. It has been taken up and 
seated according to law by the Company, to a distance of twenty 
thousand feet. In conformity with law ten different locations 


9 


were made of two thousand feet each, and named as follows 
to wit: 


No. 1 . — Golden Wreath. 
“ 2.—Amboy. 

“ 3.—Polar Star. 

11 4.—Antelope. 

“ 5.—Vulcan. 


No. 6. —Sunset. 
a 7 .—Pine Nut. 

“ 8.—Fair View. 

“ 9.—Excelsior. 

“ 10. —Eastern Slope. 


From a careful working test made of the ore from the surface 
of this lode, it is estimated that the smallest average per ton will 
not be less than forty-five dollars. The ore is easily crushed and 
can be taken out at a comparatively small expense, as the wall rock 
which encloses it is of decomposed granite. 

Crystal Peak Lode No. 11 lies about one mile east of Antelope 
No. 4, higher up the slope, and in a northeasterly and southwesterly 
course a quarter of a mile above Manning’s Spring. It is of the 
same character of that just above mentioned, and in width at the 
surface two and a half feet. There are two thousand feet in this 
location. 

Mineral Lode No. 19, Eastern Sentinel No. 20, and Pea¬ 
cock No. 21, of two thousand feet each, are on a ledge on a hill 
near Mt. Bullion, and about one mile and a half from Manning’s 
Spring in a westerly direction. This quartz lode is fifteen feet 
thick, and is one of the largest in the district. The lode is enclosed 
in the same formation as the others, but differs from them in appear¬ 
ance and character. The quartz is partly vitreous, and mixed with 
copper sulphurets ; the gold in its greatest purity being generally 
diffused through the rich emerald stains, while the silver sulphurets 
occur only upon the under side of the vein. This ledge and all the 
others mentioned can be worked to advantage and a good profit, as 
the quartz can be delivered to the mills on the canal or river 
by rail on a descending grade, not to exceed four miles at the 
farthest. 

The Alpha Lode No. 18, is located on the termination of the 
ridge extending from Gold Hill, called Eagle Point, near the centre 
of the front of the town. The rock from this ledge is very rich in 
gold, which is more or less mixed with oxide of iron. It is two feet 
and a half wide at the surface, and lies northeast and southwest. It 
will give a working average in gold alone of fifty dollars to the ton. 


10 


Its close proximity to the town will render it somewhat more valu¬ 
able than others more remote when the mills are erected near the 
river. 

The B$lle of the East Lode No. 13, containing two thou¬ 
sand feet, is a fine ledge four feet in width. It is located on the 
northern slope of Gold Hill, a short distance from Quartz Peak, a 
conical heap of quartzose granite rocks which crown a pyramidal 
shaped terminus of a high ridge on Gold Hill. This ledge contains 
a large proportion of gold intermixed with copper sulphurets, and 
galena, and sulphurets of silver. It is as fair a ledge as there is in 
the district. 

The U. S. Grant Lode No. 16 containing two thousand feet, 
is a very large lode twelve feet wide and very rich. It lies on the 
eastern side of the Gold Hill just below the dividing ridge. It 
contains gold mixed with oxide of iron, galena and silver sulphurets. 
The ore from the lode will pay from the surface fifty dollars a ton 
in gold alone ; and silver from ten to fifty dollars in addition. The 
rock is easily crushed and readily worked. 

The Martha Washington Lode No. 12, is a rich lode lying 
on the eastern side of Gold Hill, and just below Gold Hill Peak, 
which is of a similar shape to that of Quartz Peak. This lode is 
two feet and a half wide and contains two thousand feet. It has 
produced in gold alone with but poor arastras to work the rock forty 
dollars per ton. It contains gold, silver and copper. Some of this 
rock paid five dollars a day to the man by pounding it in a hand 
mortar. 

The Bombshell Lode No. 15, of two thousand feet in length 
is a fine lode five feet wide, lying on the western side of the Gold 
Hill Peak. It is largely impregnated with silver sulphurets, galena, 
and a fair proportion of gold. As silver increases going down, it 
will probably prove to be one of, if not the most profitable mine in 
the district. 

The Kearsarge Lode No. 14, lies on the western side of Gold 
Hill, near the centre of the range and about half a mile below the 
dividing ridge. It is two thousand feet in length, and averages at 
the surface four and three fourths feet wide. It is of the same char¬ 
acter as the other lodes, and will no doubt prove to be equally as 
rich. 

This completes the number of gold and silver bearing veins be* 


11 


longing to the Company, and comprises forty-twc thousand feet of 
as fair an average of mining property when developed as can be 
found to pay a good steady dividend in the State of Nevada. All 
of these mines increase in richness and grow wider, the deeper they 
go in the earth, while the gold decreases and the silver increases. 

A few explanations in regard to the mines of this district may 
be required to show why they have not been generally worked. 

The East Walker River District was first discovered by a 
few prospectors, who followed cattle drovers who drove their 
cattle into this valley to graze. A few small ranchoes or farms 
were taken up on the river by these people, who were mostly from 
the Western and Southern Frontier States. When the mines were 
first discovered, the presence of silver was unknown to the miners 
who worked them only for gold. Arastras and rude stamping mills 
of the most primitive construction were used, (and also a small mill 
with a rotary battery of six stamps) was built. Thousands of dol¬ 
lars were taken from the mines by this rude process, by men who 
knew comparatively nothing about milling or mining. These rude 
mills were built on the low bottoms on the very banks of the stream, 
and the water which was used to run them was taken out only a 
few yards above them, without dams or gates to the conduits. In 
the Spring of the year 1862, and the year of the greatest inundations 
upon the Pacific Coast that ever occurred, the waters of this river 
overflowed the bottoms, and washed away all the mills that were on 
the river, causing a total suspension of mining operations in the 
district. The general scarcity of food at that time, also compelled 
the miners to leave for other points, and the district, with the excep¬ 
tion of one small company, who still remained, became abandoned 
so far as mining was concerned. Some of the people settled in 
the valley and follow agricultural pursuits which are rendered ex¬ 
tremely profitable. Some of those who commenced mining in this 
district, knowing its vast richness in mineral wealth, still retained 
their interests, who surrendered them to be relocated in connection 
with the persons who originated this Company for the purpose of 
folly developing these mines, and constructing the necessary mills 
and works, and who are now nearly one third owners in and are 
members of this Company. 

2 


12 


THE IRON MINES. 

The iron mines, or more properly mine, was first discovered and 
located by Wm. S. Manning and his two brothers, (members of this 
Company), and three distinct pieces of land of half a mile square 
each, were located in which the iron was found. It lies in a spur 
on the western slope of the Walker Lake Range, and about five 
miles from the river. It will average from four to one hundred 
feet in width, and lies in masses upon the surface, rising to the 
height of three to eight feet, and can be traced over a mile up the 
spur into the main range. It has been pronounced to be equal to 
the best ore yet discovered. It is highly magnetic and very pure. 
As specimens can be seen at the office of the Company, and an assay 
having been made of it, reference is made to its great value under 
the head of Assays. The whole has been reoccupied and relocated 
by the same parties, and regularly deeded by them to the Company, 
the deed recorded in the County Recorder’s Office, and is now in 
possession of the Company at New York. 

The value of this iron mine (which is the only one yet discovered 
in Nevada in proximity with coal, and in the silver region), cannot 
be too highly estimated, It is the great key which will unlock 
millions upon millions of gold and silver,- which lie encased in sub¬ 
terranean vaults of quartz throughout that vast region of mineral 
wealth. That whole country is now suffering and languishing for 
the want of machinery to crush the ore, as well as for the imple¬ 
ments to take it out of its rocky bed, to say nothing of the thousand 
other sources of demand for travel and conveyance, and manufac¬ 
turing and agricultural interests which are now lying dormant. 

This iron mine is not only capable of being worked unceasingly, 
but the ore produced from it can be freighted to any part of the 
Eastern Slope and Great Basin at all seasons of the year. 

In addition to the price of iron at San Francisco, (the only 
entrepot of that country), a profit of at least one hundred dollars 
in gold per ton can be realized , as that is the very lowest price of 
freight per ton from that city to any of the nearest points in Nevada, 
while it is often raised to the enormous rate, in the beginning of the 
wet season, of one hundred and sixty dollars per ton freight. Not 
only this; while it is utterly impossible, during five months in the 
year, for teams to haul freights of a heavy character across the 


13 


Sierra Nevada on account of the mud on the Western Slope, and the 
great barrier of a snow belt of eighty miles on the summits, this 
Company can be sending its products everywhere they are wanted 
throughout the Eastern Slope and Great Basin, when the California 
roads are shut up so far as freighting of machinery is concerned. 

As this iron lies within ten miles where it is not only possible 
but highly probable that the Central Pacific Kailroad will be built, 
if the General Government or that Railroad Company pays heed to 
the recommendations of Col. Steptoe, who marched the Sixth Regi¬ 
ment of U. S. Infantry by that route across the continent in 1857, 
nearly four years before the silver mines had been discovered. 
Every person who has travelled Wellington & Co.’s road to Austin 
land the Reese River Country, is well satisfied that not only is it 
the most feasible route on account of its easy grade, but that it 
shortens the distance at least eighty miles to California, and con¬ 
necting with the railroad now nearly completed from Sacramento to 
Placerville. 

This iron mine can be worked at a comparatively small expense. 
Coal is extensively found within a distance not to exceed six miles; 
belonging to the Company, who own besides all of the coal in the 
Sweetwater Mountains, which are not more than ten miles distant. 

Aside from the coal, there is in the immediate vicinity of the 
iron mine and higher up the mountains, an extensive growth of 
pinon pine timber covering about ten thousand acres, about two 
thousand acres of which have been already secured by the Company, 
and the rest is within the Company’s control. This timber is easily 
cut and can be readily converted into charcoal. The iron can be 
smelted at the mine, and the metal easily delivered by rail down a 
gradual slope to the works that will be erected on the river. 

THE WATER POWER. 

For a distance of nearly three miles above the upper end of Mt. 
Lyon, the East Walker River flows through a narrow gorge along 
the southern base of a spur of mountains whose western terminus 
approaches within one hundred and fifty yards of the base of the 
upper end of Mt. Lyon. At this point the river turns abruptly at a 
right angle and flows directly north in its general course, a distance 
of nearly ten miles. Here the Company have located and secured n 

r 



14 


water privilege ivhich controls the entire volume of water flowing 
through the gap. The velocity of the current at this place is about 
seven miles an hour, with a discharge of fifty-two thousand inches at 
the dryest season of the year. The cost of constructing a good rock 
dam at this point and digging a canal to carry sufficient water for 
milling and irrigation purposes, will not exceed fifty thousand dol- 
ars. A sufficient fall of water may be had to run at least one 
hundred mills of any power required, besides irrigating about seven 
thousand acres of land belonging to the Company. 

THE AGRICULTURAL LAMS. 

As already heretofore stated, the land lying on the outside of the 
lands at present cultivated by other owners, there are about seven 
thousand acres which can be made very valuable and rendered highly 
productive in both cereals and vegetables by being irrigated. This 
land is a rich sandy loam, being the debris from the Walker Lake 
Range of mountains, and is easily cultivated. Without water it is 
utterly valueless, and could not be used for any useful purpose what¬ 
ever otherwise than in running roads through it to the mines; but 
when irrigated, there is nothing that is grown in the Middle States 
which cannot be raised upon it. As the Company possesses the only 
source for supplying this water, the whole of the land is under their 
control. This land can be rented out to great profit, or sold, or 
farmed by the Company to supply its own wants, and its employees 
with a great portion of their food. As the ruling prices of freight 
are so high from the agricultural regions of California, and the 
great per centage of the loss on such articles as fruit, potatoes, corn, 
cabbage, beets and other vegetables, a profit of at least eight cents 
per pound is secured to the producer, while a ready market for his 
produce is found. 

The profit on cereals by saving of freight will average one hun¬ 
dred dollars per ton, while a constant demand will always exist for 
all that may be raised, either for the Company’s use or for sale. 

Mineral City is located upon this land, and is entirely in the un¬ 
disputed possession of the Company. For further description see 
page 8» 


15 


THE COPPER MINES. 

Tha Company have secured by location the copper lode referred 
to on page 6. Twenty thousand feet being located in four different 
locations of five thousand feet each, and named as follows: 

No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4. 

North Star, Columbia, Comet, Two-Forty. 

It i^ from five to ten feet in width, and crops out to the height 
of eight feet. Its surface is of a beautiful emerald green, and 
thickly studded with crystallizations. It also contains a large per 
centage of silver as pronounced by assayers who have examined 
specimens of the ore. Mr. J. Ross Browne, who visited this part 
of the country in September last, pronounced it to be superior to 
any ore he had seen in Arizona, where the ore is extracted by Mex¬ 
icans and hauled several hundreds of miles to Fort Yuma, on the 
Colorado River. The specimens that were prepared to be forwarded 
by the agent of the Company were unfortunately left behind.* 
This copper mine can be easily worked, and the ore can be delivered 
by rail to the river, not more than four miles distant. 

ASSAYS. 

Professor John Torrey, U. S. Assayer at New York, makes the 
following very satisfactory report, fully confirming the great mineral 
wealth of the property of this Company. 

New York, February 22 d, 1865. 

J. L. Douglass, Esq. 

Dear Sir: —The samples of ores from Nevada, that you left with me 
for assay for the Mineral City Mining and Manufacturing Com¬ 
pany of Nevada, yielded as follows: 

No. 1. —Alpha Lode, Gold, per ton of 2,000 lbs., $348 84 

Silver, “ “ 84 94 

$433 78 

No. 2.—Kearsage Lode, Gold, “ “ $1,505 71 

Silver, “ “ 156 09 

$1,661 80 

* It is to be regretted that the copper ore did not arrive in time to have the assay made 
and result stated in the report of Dr. John Tokrey. It will be supplied hereafter. This lode 
crops out upon the side of the mountain, is in plain sight and in immense quantities. 
The iron ore is similarly situated and can be seen on the surface for one mile and a half in 
in length. 







16 

No. 3 .—Bombshell Lode, Gold, per ton of 2,000 lbs., $939 93 


Silver, 

u u 

216 19 

No. 4.—U. S. Grant Lode, Gold, 

Silver, 

u u 

u u 

$1,156 12 
$757 75 
174 72 

No. 5 .—Golden Wee ath Lode, Gold, 

Silver, 

u a 

u u 

$932 47 

$538 45 
154 63 

No. 6. —Minekal Lode, Gold, 

Silver, 

a u 

u a 

$693 08 

$416 67 
138 54 

$555 21 

No. VII. Iron Ore.— This is a Red Oxide of Iron or Hematite- 
It is a remarkably pure Ore, is almost entirely free from Sulphur and 
from earthy admixture. It contains more than 68 per cent, of 
Metallic Iron, which considering the chemical constitution of the 
Ore; would if properly treated, be of excellent quality. It is a 


fortunate circumstance for your Company, that both Iron and Coal 
exist in your property. 

No. VIII. Coal.— This is the variety known as Brown Coal or 
Lignite. Though much inferior to good Bituminous Coal it is a 
valuable fuel, especially in a country where true coal does not occur, 
and timber is scarce. When heated to 250° Ft., and from that to 
350° it gives off 12 per cent, of water; at a dull red heat it gives off 
volatile inflammable matter, to the amount of 36.6 per cent. There 
remains a fixed residue consisting of 37.6 per cent, pure carbon and 13 
per cent, of ash. So that the coal contains 74 per cent, of inflammable 
matter. It would answer for smelting iron and for producing steam. 

Yours respectfully, 

JOHN TOBBEY. 

These ores can be extensively used for manufacturing the neces¬ 
sary machinery, required in developing the Mineral Lands and Bail 
Boads. The assays would have shown far better results if the 
samples had been taken from a greater depth, as experience proves 
that minerals encrease in richness as they go in depth. 

An extraordinary value exists in these valuable deposistes of Gold, 
Silver, Iron, Copper, Coal and Timber in a country whei-e the general 
plan and facilities of development are too costly and inconvenient by 
the great delays and cost of transportation, consequent loss of time 






17 


and money in getting the necessary machinery to any given point 
where it must be used. The construction of machinery and neces¬ 
sary repair of breakages at such inconvenient and remote parts would 
give the Company an immense business and monopoly in that country 
for manufacturing purposes. 

As the coal is in great abundance on the property of the Com¬ 
pany it can be freely used, and thus equal Bituminous Coals of a harder 
character in the manufacture of Iron and other metals and machinery. 

Our national necessities and wealth, the payment of the interest 
and principal of our public debt in Gold and Silver, will turn the 
attention of capitalists as well as people to the early and full deve¬ 
lopment of our mineral resources, and the Company must, from the 
location and real value of its great variety of valuable minerals, pre¬ 
sent such strong claims to the public as will result in large, perma¬ 
nent and remunerative dividends to the stockholders. 

The water-power is sufficient for One Hundred (100) or more 
mills, machine shops, and manufactories. 

The above estimates of production, cost and profits were fur¬ 
nished by gentlemen, competent and familiar with the whole subject, 
and are believed to be substantially correct. They, however, claim 
that these figures although fabulous will be largely exceeded by actual 
results, when this property is fully developed. 

MINING ENGINEER AND ASSISTANTS. 

A very eminent U. S. Engineer has been engaged, who will (with 
his able corps of assistants) immediately enter upon the duties of 
Mining Engineer and General Superintendent at Mineral City, to 
develope the property of the Company, 

THE INCOME OF THE COMPANY. 

The income of the Company cannot be fully estimated until full 
and complete developments of the property are made. Nearly all 
of these improvements will be made from our own materials upon 
our own property, thus saving the great delays and expenditures 
incident to the costly transportation (varying from 5 to 10 cents per 
lb.), and great loss of time, labor and profit occasioned by the want 
of facilities for speedy repairs. 

For our present purposes the following statement will furnish 
statistics that are based upon a partial but moderate working of the 
mills and other machinery, and the capitalist can easily examine 



18 


and determine for himself whether these sources of income are 
sufficient to warrant his investment. 

5 miles of capacity sufficient to reduce 50 tons each per day 
will produce as follows : 


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19 


CONCLUSIONS. 

The whole of the Company’s property is embraced in the above 
description. The many and varied interests therein combined ren¬ 
ders it one of the most important mining enterprises on the Pacific 
Coast, in magnitude and local wealth. There are other interests of 
value in the same district, but are now inactive for the want of 
means to develope them. 

As the Company possesses the great desideratum in mining, that 
of an abundance of water, and the power connected with it, sufficient 
to supply as many mills as can be conveniently constructed , the ores 
can be reduced for one third the expense that it costs to run by 
steam power. So that the company could afford to not only supply 
the necessary machinery from their iron works to construct the 
mills, but also reduce the ores belonging to other companies, at a 
handsome profit, and cause all other mining enterprises that would 
be opened and developed in the district, to be subordinate to it. 

Another favorable feature connected with this enterprise, is, that 
there is no priority of location, occupation, nor conflicting claims, to 
cause enmity or litigation, while all the people settled in the vicinity 
are extremely favorable to the enterprise, and anxious for the com¬ 
pany to commence its operations as early as possible. By judicious 
treatment their good will can be always retained. 

There is no reason, under a proper management of the Com¬ 
pany’s interests and economically conducted that in one year after 
everything is put under full operation, why a handsome monthly 
dividend should not be returned, and the stock of the Company 
command a high rate of premium. The Gould & Currey, Savage, 
Potosi, Chollar and other famous mines, are well known and within 
a very short distance of this property. They command prices un¬ 
rivalled in the mining interests of the world. 

























' 

' ■ 

























I 



































REPORT 

OF ' 

J. ROSS BROWNE 

IN RELATION TO 

Jtpimltal and fginml X antis 

ON THE 


EAST WALKER RIVER. 

























































REPORT. 


San Francisco, Cal., January 18 th, 1865. 

To the Mineral City Mining and Manufacturing Company 
of Nevada. 

Gentlemen : 

In the course of my tour through Nevada during the past 
summer, I had occasion to visit the country bordering on the East 
branch of Walker’s River. My object was to explore the most 
important mineral and agricultural districts lying on the Eastern 
slope of the Sierra Nevada, with a view of preparing for publication 
a series of illustrated papers descriptive of that interesting region. 
Knowing the great desire felt in the Atlantic States for reliable 
information in regard to the resources of Nevada, I was induced, 
by flattering accounts of the Walker River country, its reputed 
advantages as a mining and agricultural region, and the recent dis¬ 
coveries of coal and iron which had taken place there, to extend my 
tour in that direction. I now take pleasure in furnishing you, 
according to promise, with a brief synopsis of my observations and 
impressions. 

THE ROAD FROM AURORA. 

An excellent grade, about five miles in length, extends from the 
town of Aurora to the head of an extensive valley, through which 
runs the main road to Carson. A stunted and scraggy growth of 
pines relieves in some degree the sterility of the mountains bordering 
on the Canon; but the forbidding aspect of the country is compen¬ 
sated by the wonderful manifestations of mineral wealth apparent 
even to the most casual observer. 





24 


At the Fivc-Mile-Ranch—the first travelling-station beyond Au¬ 
rora—I saw something of the effects of cultivation as applied to the 
sage-deserts of the Eastern slope. It would be difficult to imagine 
that a blade of grass could grow in such a barren-looking region; 
yet by the introduction of a small stream of water from a neighbor¬ 
ing hill and a very primitive system of irrigation, the owner of this 
station has redeemed a considerable tract of land, and caused it to 
flourish with a luxuriant growth of cereals and vegetables. I have 
rarely seen a more thrifty garden in any country. This satisfies me 
that the soil of these sage deserts is naturally productive, and that 
vast tracts of land, now utterly worthless, could be made valuable by 
irrigation. 

Four miles beyond this station is another oasis in the desert, 
called the Nine Mile Ranch, where the road branches, one leading to 
Carson, and the other to East Walker River. A good and substan¬ 
tial house has been erected here for the accommodation of travellers, 
and the place is well watered by a running stream from the adjacent 
hills. 

From the nine mile station I followed the right branch of the road 
across a desert valley some eight miles in width, extending to a low 
range of mountains, which intervenes between this point and Wal¬ 
ker’s Valley. There is a natural pass in this range, through which 
the road winds for a distance of five miles. Although my wagon 
was heavily laden, I experienced no difficulty, at any point in making 
the trip. A few days work would make the road equal to any in the 
country. By diverging a short distance to the right, however, a 
much shorter and more advantageous route could be found to the 
main valley in which the Company’s possessions are located. 

THE FIVE-MILE CANON. 

In passing through the Canon the scenery is weird and desolate, 
but possesses a rugged grandeur characteristic of all the spurs of the 
Sierras. To the right can be seen at occasional intervals the towering 
peak of Mt. Grant, so named in honor of our distinguished Federal Gen¬ 
eral, by Major E. A. Sherman, who has recently made a topograph¬ 
ical survey and map of this region. The usual stunted growth of 
pine abounds in considerable quantities along the slopes of the canon. 
I was much impressed with the peculiar colors of the rocks, indicat- 


25 


mg mineral deposites, everywhere perceptible. That vast treasures of 
gold and silver lie hidden in the ravines and quartz-veins by the way- 
side, is more than probable. Nature seems to have formed this 
country for the practical uses of man, rather than for the pleasure of 
his eye. Amid rocks and deserts that apparently forbid his ap¬ 
proach, roads are found, so regularly and systematically graded that 
one would suppose they had been made by contract. 

Descending the Canon at a gradual inclination, its walls converge 
till they form a winding pass almost perpendicular on each side. 
Through this runs a narrow roadway, evidently the bed of a moun¬ 
tain stream, now quite dry and covered with fine gravel. I was 
told by my guides that excellent placer-diggings had been discovered 
in this vicinity. The scarcity of water was the great obstacle to 
success. 

Passing out of the Canon, a fine view is had of the Two Sentinels, 
Mt. Bullion, Mt. Grant, Mt. Butler, and the intervening range of 
country in which important discoveries of coal have recently been 
made. 

THE COAL MINES. 

It may be well to mention in this connection that some days 
later I made a tour of the coal district, the north part of which is 
embraced within the survey made by your Company, and to which 
you hold title and possession. Several of the veins which I examined 
present indisputable evidences of rich and extensive coal deposites, 
some of them being as clearly defined as any I had previously seen 
in Puget’s Sound. The excavations so far made have only revealed 
the superficial stratum, which, however, is highly promising. The 
coal is a light carbon, pressed in compact layers, with interlineations 
of shale; and the veins dip at an angle of about forty-five degrees. 
It is highly inflammable, clear and void of rust. Some of it has 
been used during the past year by blacksmiths, residing on Walker’s 
river; and they pronounce it excellent. So far as I can judge by 
those surface specimens, it resembles that of the Corral Hollow 
Mines near Monte Diabolo, California, now the only coal used by the 
Bay and Kiver Steamers. Further explorations and experiments 
will, doubtless, result in the discovery of vast deposites of coal in 
this vicinity. The surface of the earth, for a distance of ten miles 
North and South, is speckled at intervals with glittering sheets of 


26 


“ shale ” which experienced miners pronounce an infallible sign of the 
proximity of coal. 

VALUE OF COAL IN NEVADA. 

The importance of this discovery in a territory like Nevada, 
where wood is scarce and where the various operations of mining 
require extraordinary supplies of fuel, cannot be too highly estimated. 
A few coal mines capable of supplying the mills of Washoe and 
Esmeralda, to say nothing of less noted districts, would greatly les¬ 
sen the cost of reducing the ores, and probably contribute more to 
the general prosperity of the country than any one product of the 
earth that could be named. The cost of transportation across the 
Sierras precludes the supply of coal from California. Wood is becom¬ 
ing more difficult of access every year and constantly diminishing in 
quantity. It is a matter of vital interest, therefore, to the people of 
Nevada, that these coal veins should be thoroughly explored and fully 
developed. 


EMIGRATION. 

Leaving the coal-fields to the right we skirted along the base of a 
mountain range to the left, till the road struck into the first of a 
series of small valleys, lying along the course of Walker’s River. 
The distance from Aurora to the first crossing of the river, I esti¬ 
mated to be about twenty-five miles. Several thrifty little farms are 
located in the vicinity. I conversed with the settlers along the 
way, and found them very sanguine as to the future destiny of the 
Walker River County. Their crops were abundant; their stock in 
good condition; and nothing seemed to tronble them save the en¬ 
croachments of drovers from California. It is a singular and some¬ 
what striking evidence of the fertility of this region, even in a 
season of extraordinary drought, that the first cattle-ranges of Cali¬ 
fornia should be abandoned and herds of stock driven two hundred 
miles across the mountains to seek the means of subsistence on the 
banks of Walker. 

As we passed down the valley on the left side of the river, we 
encountered several emigrant trains, and a good supply of American 
stock, bound for California. They were temporarily located here, 
awaiting a better condition of things on the Western slope of the 
Sierras. They had been recruiting in the abundant pastures of 


27 


Walker for the past two months, after their tedious journey across 
the plains. Some of the emigrant families seemed disposed to stay, 
and commence farming; and I have since understood that quite a 
number of claims have been taken up. 

WALXER’3 RIVER. 

Even at this season of drought—the most severe ever known 
either in California or Nevada—the river contained an abundance of 
water. Draining as it does a vast area of the Sierra Nevadas the 
source of supply is inexhaustible; and nothing can be purer than the 
water, which bounds in crystal clearness over the rocks. Groves of 
willow fringe the banks, interspersed here and there with some fine 
specimens of the balm of Gilead and occasionally a group of Syca¬ 
mores. Following the course of the river through the first series of 
valleys, a distance of some eight or ten miles, we crossed once more 
at Lawson’s ford; where the mountains converge from each side, 
forming a kind of pass. Within half a mile of the crossing, we 
came to Lawson’s Ranch; the first point of settlement at the head 
of the great valley in which your Company has located its magnifi¬ 
cent agricultural claim. 

AGRICULTURAL LANDS. 

The rich alluvial river bottom gradually widens from this point 
till it assumes an average width of about a mile, embracing within its 
limits some of the finest pasture lands in the world. There is also 
a considerable portion of this bottom admirably adapted to farming 
purposes—especially to the growth of corn, pumpkins, melons, beets, 
and such other products as require a light porous soil with abundant 
moisture. On the right, beyond the margin of the bottom, (which is 
distinctly marked by willow bushes and a luxuriant growth of grass 
and weeds) lies a broad sloping plain, barren in appearance, but 
covered with a rich deposit of soil from the mountains. The sage- 
bush flourished in undisturbed possession of this valley. I made a 
careful examination of the lands embraced within the Company’s 
survey, and have no hesitation in saying they are better adapted to 
agricultural purposes than the alluvial fiats bordering immediately 
on the river. The soil is rich and warm, but of course unproductive 
now for want of water. I understand it to be the design of the 


28 


Company to open an acequia or small canal from the river at a point 
in the neighborhood of Lawson’s Ranch, and run it down the valley 
along the foot hills, thus bringing the entire tract as surveyed by 
Major Sherman, within the means of irrigation. Similar lands lying 
in the valley of Carson, are now the most productive in that region ; 
but there is a scarcity of water experienced there which can never 
occur on the Walker. There can be no possible doubt as to the 
feasibility of the plan. The cost would be but trifling; for Nature 
seems to have done the principal part of the work. The descent of 
the river is rapid, being as near as I can estimate forty feet to the 
mile ; the volume of water is inexhaustible ; no obstacles of any kind 
intervene; the slope of the valley both laterally and longitudinally, 
is just sufficient for successful irrigation; and the ground is easily 
worked. No finer climate exists in the world. The winters are 
sharp, cold and clear; the summers unsurpassed in salubrity ; never 
too warm, and always fresh and invigorating at night. I have no 
doubt whatever that over a hundred thousand acres of land could be 
redeemed by [the projected plan of irrigation. The Spaniards of 
Sonora and Arizona have long since availed themselves of this sys¬ 
tem of reclaiming waste and apparently desert lands. A large 
portion of Arizona, once a worthless desert, was reclaimed and worked 
to advantage by the early Spaniards who settled on the banks of the 
Gila and Salado rivers in the Seventeenth Century. The Indian Re¬ 
servation at the Pimo villages, embracing twenty-five square leagues 
of land, is notably the most striking example. Some of the finest 
crops of wheat, corn, pumpkins and melons, I have ever seen grow, 
are produced here by a very simple system of irrigating the desert. 
During the existence of the Spanish Missions at San Xavier del Rac, 
Tumacacori, and other points in Arizona, all the lands were culti¬ 
vated and rendered highly productive by a similar system of acequias 
diverging from some principal canal. So that I think this question 
has been sufficiently tested. 

VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN NEVADA. 

In the country where the area of agricultural lands is small, as 
is peculiarly the case in Nevada, the importance of this enterprise 
can scarcely be measured by its direct pecuniary results. The estab¬ 
lishment of permanent homes for families) the civilizing influences of 
agriculture in a country devoted almost exclusively to ruining) the 


29 


nucleus that may thus he formed for the education of the young, and 
institutions for the melioration of public morals, must enter largely 
into the considerations involved in such an enterprise. But apart from 
its beneficial influences, the direct question of profit must necessarily 
claim attention. It seems to me, upon a careful review of the con¬ 
dition of the country, its necessities and prospects, that there can he 
no finer field for the investment of capital within our territorial 
limits than your Company present in the form of a consolidated 
enterprise, embracing every valuable feature , both mineral and agri¬ 
cultural, hitherto discovered in this region. 

All the cereals grow here with great luxuriance. Wheat, rye, 
barley, oats, &c., so far as tested by the settlers on Walker River, 
produce returns that would be remarkable in the Western States. 
As for vegetables, I have never seen the garden products of Walker’s 
Valley surpassed even in California, where our vegetables are the 
wonder of the world. Fruits have not yet been tried, but I know 
of no reason why they should not succeed. Late frosts in Spring 
might prove an obstacle to the more delicate kinds : but the soil and 
climate seem peculiarly adapted to the hardier varieties. 

A ready market exists at Aurora, Genoa, Carson, Virginia City, 
and Reese River, for all the garden and agricultural products that 
could be raised here. The distance to Austin is about 90 miles; 
to Virginia City about 65 miles; and to Aurora about 35 miles; 
with good roads and no intervening mountains of any consequence. 
At present all the fruit and most of the grain used in Nevada is 
hauled across the Sierras from California. The cost of freight is 
from five to eight cents a pound. This added to the original cost 
and necessary profit, renders the price of all such products in Ne¬ 
vada extravagantly high. The rate of living must of course corre¬ 
spond ; and as a consequence, the rate of wages for labor in the 


mines. 


It will thus be seen that agricultural lands in any convenient 
location, derive an extraordinary value from the proximity of the 
mines, and the ready market afforded by the demands of a large 
population engaged in working these mines. Grain of all kinds 
could be grown in this valley at an advantage over the imported ar¬ 
ticle of four or five cents a pound—the lowest cost of transportation 
from California. 


# 



30 


MINERAL CITY. 

The site chosen by the Company for the nucleus or central point 
of its operations, is admirably located on the banks of the river, 
opposite a rocky bluff overlooking the whole country. The plan, as 
surveyed and mapped by Major Sherman is well adapted to the local 
peculiarities of the place. “ Mineral City ”—the proposed name of 
the town—has a water front of a mile or more, and lies about mid¬ 
way between the northern and southern extremities of the valley. 
For convenience of access and security against Irdian hostilities— 
should it ever be threatened in that way, which is not probable—the 
position is the very best that could be selected ; although there are 
other points on the river which will doubtless become valuable for 
town sites as soon as the valley is rendered available for settlement 
on a large scale, by the proposed system of irrigation. At no distant 
day, I believe this will be a thrifty centre of agriculture and com¬ 
merce ; with schools, churches, and all the accompaniments of civili¬ 
zation. Situated on the direct emigrant route to California , it 
derives peculiar advantages as a point of trade; and the necessities 
of the surrounding mining districts are such that Mineral City 
must become a grand depot of supplies. 

SHIMMINS’ RANCH. 

I should mention that most of the bottom lands bordering imme¬ 
diately on the river, are now under cultivation by settlers who have 
stopped here during the past two years. There must be eight or 
ten farms, with an equal number of good houses, on the left side of 
the river; the right being held principally by your Company under 
the land statutes of the new State. 

During my stay in the vicinity of Look-out Mountain—a point 
about one mile above Mineral City. I was hospitably entertained 
at the residence of a Mr. Shimmins, who has an excellent farm 
under cultivation. Within two years he has surrounded himself 
with most of the comforts of a civilized home. His pasture lands 
yield an abundance of hay; his fields teem with grain; his garden 
is stocked with the finest vegetables; and his cattle look fat and 
sleek even at this unfavorable season of the year. I have rarely 
enjoyed a better meal than I ate at his hospitable board; and little 
as it was to be expected, I found here evidences of refinement, in the 


31 


way of books and musical instruments, which would do credit td 
much older communities. 

THE GOLD HILL RAHGE. 

Accompanied by Mr. Shimmens, Dr. Manning and some other 
gentlemen who felt a great interest in the development of this 
country, I took an early opportunity to visit the celebrated “ Gold 
Hill Range,” so called from the number of auriferous mines discov¬ 
ered here a few years ago. 

Attention was attracted to this district in 1861—’2, and many 
enterprising adventurers visited it with a view of opening the veins 
and working the ores. The outcroppings may be seen from the river; 
from which the principal system of leads is distant something over a 
mile. More than fifty claims were located within a few months and 
several veins were opened, with great promise of success. The 
average ores, as taken out from the surface, averaged from $50 to 
$100 to the ton, and selected specimens went as high as $200. 
Professor Durant, of the Oakland College, was attracted thither by 
the excitement; and upon examination of the leads, was so well 
satisfied of their value and permanence, that he built a clumsy six- 
stamp mill on the river for the purpose of reducing the ores. Owing 
to want of practical familiarity with the business, scarcity of means, 
and other causes, he made but one run, which however yielded $600; 
or at the rate of $30 to the ton. It was found that most of the 
gold had passed through the mill with the tailings, which upon sub- 
seqnent examination proved to contain the best of the results. The 
machinery was clumsy and defective; grease had fallen into the amal¬ 
gamating pans and become mixed with the ores, and it was evident 
from this experiment, that more perfect machinery must be erected 
before the enterprise could be made profitable. At this period a 
great flood swept the valley. All mining was at an end for the 
time. This was in the winter of 1862, known as the wet winter 
The miners were discouraged and eventually starved out because it 
was impossible to obtain provisions, there being none in the country. 
Professor Durant lost all he had invested in his mill. In the mean¬ 
time public attention was directed to other discoveries, and thus the 
Gold Hill Range, which all who had explored it pronounced it to be 
exceedingly rich in the precious metals, was temporarily abandoned. 

I visited the principal leads in this range, and so far as it is pos- 



32 


sible to judge by the eye, am clearly of opinion that they contain an 
inexhaustible supply of good paying ore. The veins are of good 
size, numerous, easily worked, and conveniently situated for reduction. 
Some of the specimens which I gathered in the shafts were as good 
as any I had seen in Esmeralda. 

THE IRON MOUNTAIN. 

About five miles from the river in an easterly direction, rises a 
conical peak known as the Iron Mountain. In company with Dr. 
Manning I made a tour of exploration to this remarkable mountain. 
Crossing the river a little below our encampment, we made a bee 
line as near as possible for our point of destination, which is visible 
from almost any part of the main valley. Striking into a rolling 
plain, we followed the principal ridges till we came to the foot of the 
Iron Mountain, which stands out in bold relief, separated from the 
back range by the rocky arroya. . All along the trail, we found indi¬ 
cations of iron; sometimes in the form of heavy rust-covered boul¬ 
ders, but generally in shell-like fragments resembling broken pot- 
metal. The hoofs of our horses jingled over them as if parsing 
through a foundry. No vegetation, save a species of bunch-grass 
and the usual sage-bush, is visible on the route. The ravines were 
rugged and broken as we approached the foot of the Iron peak. 
Descending into an arroya on the eastern side, we circled around till 
we reached a kind of saddle by which the main conical bluff is con¬ 
nected with a rolling hill of inferior elevation. About three quarters 
of a mile from the peak, we came upon the great iron lode, which forms 
so important a feature in the projected enterprise of your Company. 
It crops out distinctly on the eastern face of the lower hill, in a mass 
of points about four feet high, by some six or eight in width; and 
ranges directly toward the principal mountain, where it again crops 
out in a similar manner, showing great regularity and continnity in 
its course. There can he no question about the vast extent of this 
vein. Masses of the ore which I succeeded in detaching from the 
outcroppings, seemed to be the purest magnetic iron. Without 
analysis, I could not of course determine its exact chemical charac¬ 
teristics. An average specimen which I broke from the outcrop¬ 
pings, bore the weight of a shingle nail—indicating extraordinary 
magnetic powers. Other pieces upon being crushed adhered to the 


33 


face of the hammer like a coating of feathers. 

We gathered as many specimens as we could conveniently carry 
on our horses—about seventy-five pounds—some of which I subse¬ 
quently had the pleasure of seeing packed for transmission to New 
York. 

This extensive deposit of iron can be traced from the peak of 
Iron Mountain for several miles across the rolling plain, over which 
we had passed. No question therefore can exist as to the vast mag¬ 
nitude of the lode. 

VALUE OF IRON IN NEVADA. 

Should this magnetic metal prove available for mechanical pur¬ 
poses by such tests as may be applied, no estimate can be formed of 
the immense value of the Company’s claim. An abundance of 
wood for smelting is convenient; sufficient at least , to last for several 
years ; but the chief dependence mu3t be on the coal mines which 
lie within three miles; a fine spring of water can be brought directly 
to the spot; access by good roads is easy, and in short, nature 
seems to have afforded every possible facility for the working of the 
mines. 

Such a discovery of an extensive iron-lode on the Eastern Slope 
of the Sierra Nevada, is of incalculable importance to the develop¬ 
ment of all the other mineral resources of the country. The cost 
of transporting heavy castings, boilers, and machinery of all kinds 
from the foundries of California to the chief mining districts of 
Nevada is one of the greatest drawbacks to the successful develop¬ 
ment of the mines. Should this vast deposit of iron, therefore, prove 
to be available for mechanical purposes, it will be not only a magni- 
ficient fortune to the owners , and an inestimable benefit to the 
public throughout Nevada , but also of national importance. 

SILVER, COPPER, &c., IN THE BULLION RANGE. 

In the course of my tour through this interesting region, I visited 
several of the silver and copper lodes in the Bullion Range belong¬ 
ing to your Company. They are not yet sufficiently developed to 
enable me to form any reliable opinion as to their extent or value. 
I saw specimens of the ores, however, taken from the surface quite 
equal to any I have seen in other districts of Nevada. The croppings 
of copper are especially fine. This extraordinary lode is distinguish- 



34 


ed by its bright color; being a delicate green, or strictly speaking, 
a pure verdigris. The dimensions of the principal lode, as seen put¬ 
ting from the earth, are about sevon feet in height by about five or 
six in width at the base. It evidently increases at a very rapid 
angle below the surface of the earth, and takes the direction of the 
Bullion ridge, where it again crops out about four miles. I regard 
this as one of the richest copper lodes yet discovered within our new 
territorial boundaries. This and the silver veins abounding in the 
Bullion Range, can scarcely fail to render that portion of the district 
a valuable feature in your projected enterprise. 

GENERAL SUMMARY. 

In every point of view, taking into consideration the extent and 
value of the gold and silver in the Gold Hill Range, the immense tracts 
of arable land so easily thrown open to settlement; the vast net¬ 
work of silver and copper leads in the Bullion Range; the extensive 
deposites of coal embraced within the limits of the coal district; the 
discovery of an inexhaustible iron-lode; the facilities for working all 
these mineral and agricultural lands; and the wonderful salubrity of 
the climate, I say with all these advantages, it is difficult to conceive 
in what respect so important an undertaking can fail of success. 

I consider, gentlemen, that you hold in your hands a magnificent 
enterprise, well worthy the serious consideration of Eastern capitalists. 
Without capital of course nothing can be done, where the plan of 
operations is projected on so extensive a scale. I am confident, 
however, that with sucli a basis your most sanguine hopes must 
sooner or later be realized. 


CONCLUSION. 

The accompanying sketches are rough drafts from the originals, 
taken by myself on the spot; and will serve to show the general 
character of the country. You are welcome to make such use of 
them as you may deem proper. 

In conclusion, I beg to express my obligations to you for the 
facilities afforded me in the prosecution of my inquiries through this 
interesting region. If I can in any way contribute to the develop¬ 
ment of the country or promote the success of your bold and com- 


prehensive enterprise, I shall consider myself amply repaid for the 
time consumed in the preparation of these hasty notes. With my 
best wishes to that end, 

I remain, 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. ROSS BROWNE. 


The above sketches can be seen at the office of the Company, 
Nos. 156 and 158 Broadway, Rooms 17, 18 and 19. 


I 


